Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for maintaining knowledge of the network identity of a network-connected playback device while changing power states, the method comprising: maintaining a power state on a playback device, where the power state is in one power state of at least the states of: active, standby, and sleep; broadcasting a MAC address associated with the playback device at a first predetermined time interval when the playback device is in the active power state; broadcasting the MAC address associated with the playback device at a second predetermined time interval when the playback device is in the standby power state; determining that the playback device is entering a power state of sleep state; ceasing broadcasting the MAC address when the playback device enters the sleep state; sending state information from the playback device to a central data repository over a network responsive to the determination that the playback device is entering sleep state, where state information comprises a MAC address of the playback device; receiving the state information about the playback device by a waking device sent from the central data repository; waking the playback device periodically at predetermined time intervals while in sleep state to listen for messages addressed to the MAC address of the playback device; and receiving a wake-up message at the playback device from the waking device and responding by changing from sleep state to active state.
This invention relates to maintaining network identity awareness for a playback device during power state transitions. The problem addressed is ensuring a playback device remains identifiable on a network even when transitioning between active, standby, and sleep states, which typically disrupt network visibility. The solution involves dynamic MAC address broadcasting and state synchronization with a central repository. When active, the device broadcasts its MAC address at a first interval. In standby, it broadcasts at a second, typically longer interval. Upon entering sleep, broadcasting ceases, but the device sends its MAC address and state information to a central repository. A waking device periodically queries this repository to retrieve the MAC address of sleeping devices. The playback device periodically wakes from sleep to check for messages addressed to its MAC address. If a wake-up message is received, it transitions to active state. This ensures network visibility without continuous power consumption, enabling seamless device discovery and communication across power states. The system maintains network identity awareness while optimizing power efficiency.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: reducing power to at least one electrical component of the playback device when the playback device transitions from the active power state to the standby power state; and increasing power to the at least one electrical component of the playback device when the playback device transitions from the standby power state to the active power state.
A method for managing power states in an electronic playback device involves transitioning between an active power state and a standby power state. The device includes at least one electrical component that is powered during active operation. When transitioning from the active state to standby, power to the electrical component is reduced, conserving energy. Conversely, when transitioning from standby to active, power to the component is increased to restore full functionality. This approach optimizes power consumption by dynamically adjusting power levels based on the device's operational state, ensuring efficient energy use while maintaining readiness for active operation. The method is particularly useful in devices requiring periodic or intermittent operation, such as media players, where power efficiency is critical. By selectively reducing power to components during standby, the device minimizes unnecessary energy consumption without compromising performance when active. The technique may be applied to various electrical components, including processors, displays, or audio systems, depending on the device's design and requirements.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the central data repository is a cloud network.
A system and method for managing and analyzing data from multiple sources involves a central data repository that collects, processes, and stores data from various input devices. The repository integrates data from sensors, user inputs, and external systems, ensuring consistency and accessibility. The system processes the data to generate insights, such as trends, anomalies, or predictive analytics, which are then presented to users through a user interface. The repository is hosted on a cloud network, enabling remote access, scalability, and distributed processing. This approach improves data management efficiency, reduces storage costs, and enhances real-time decision-making by providing centralized, cloud-based data analysis. The system may also include data validation, encryption, and access control features to ensure security and reliability. The cloud-based repository allows for seamless integration with other cloud services, supporting advanced analytics and machine learning applications. This method is particularly useful in industries requiring large-scale data processing, such as healthcare, finance, or industrial automation, where centralized and scalable data management is critical.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a request for state information from the waking device to the cloud network, where the request for state information includes an identifier of the playback device.
A system and method for managing media playback in a networked environment involves a waking device that detects a user's presence and initiates playback of media content. The waking device communicates with a cloud network to retrieve state information associated with a playback device, where the request for state information includes an identifier of the playback device. The system ensures seamless media playback by synchronizing the state of the playback device with the waking device, allowing the user to resume playback from the correct position or continue listening to the same content. The waking device may also adjust playback settings, such as volume or playback speed, based on the retrieved state information. The cloud network stores and manages the state data for multiple playback devices, enabling consistent playback experiences across different devices and locations. This method improves user convenience by automating the retrieval and application of playback state information, reducing manual intervention and ensuring a continuous listening experience. The system is particularly useful in smart home environments where multiple devices may be used for media playback.
5. The method of claim 1 , where the playback device is not connected to an external power source.
A method for managing audio playback in a portable device involves adjusting playback parameters to optimize battery life while maintaining audio quality. The device monitors its battery level and dynamically modifies playback settings, such as bitrate, sample rate, or equalization, to reduce power consumption when battery levels are low. The method ensures that audio quality remains acceptable by applying predefined thresholds and adjustment rules. The device may also prioritize certain audio channels or frequencies to further conserve power. In some cases, the device may switch to a low-power mode where only essential audio processing is performed. The method is particularly useful for portable devices operating without an external power source, ensuring extended playback time without significant degradation in audio quality. The adjustments are reversible once the battery level recovers, restoring original playback settings. The system may also include user-configurable preferences to allow customization of power-saving behaviors. This approach balances energy efficiency with audio performance, making it suitable for battery-powered devices like wireless headphones, portable speakers, or smartphones.
6. The method of claim 1 , where state information includes status of whether the playback device is in a state that cannot receive or respond to a magic frame.
A method for managing networked playback devices involves monitoring state information to determine whether a device is in a state that prevents it from receiving or responding to a magic frame. Magic frames are network packets used to trigger actions such as waking a device from a low-power state. The method tracks the device's operational status, including whether it is in a state where it cannot process incoming magic frames, such as being fully powered off, in a deep sleep mode, or experiencing a hardware or software failure. By continuously monitoring this state information, the system can avoid sending unnecessary magic frames, reducing network traffic and power consumption. The method may also include logging the device's state transitions to improve diagnostics and troubleshooting. This approach ensures efficient communication with networked playback devices while minimizing resource usage.
7. The method of claim 1 , where the wake-up message is unicast addressed to the playback device.
A method for wireless communication involves transmitting a wake-up message to a playback device to initiate or resume playback operations. The wake-up message is unicast, meaning it is specifically addressed to a single playback device rather than being broadcast to multiple devices. This targeted approach ensures that only the intended device receives and processes the message, improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary power consumption in other nearby devices. The playback device, upon receiving the unicast wake-up message, transitions from a low-power or inactive state to an active state, enabling it to perform playback functions such as audio or video playback. The method may also include additional steps, such as establishing a communication link between the playback device and a control device, verifying the identity of the playback device, or adjusting playback settings based on the received wake-up message. The use of unicast addressing ensures secure and reliable communication, preventing unintended devices from responding to the wake-up message. This method is particularly useful in wireless audio systems, smart home devices, or other applications where efficient and selective device activation is required.
8. The method of claim 1 , where the wake-up message is broadcast on a network that the playback device is connected to.
A system and method for managing playback devices in a networked environment addresses the challenge of efficiently waking up devices from a low-power state to receive media content. The invention involves a playback device that enters a low-power state when not in use to conserve energy. To resume playback, a wake-up message is broadcast on the network to which the playback device is connected. The wake-up message triggers the device to transition from the low-power state to an active state, allowing it to receive and process media content. The system ensures that the playback device can quickly and reliably resume operation when needed, improving energy efficiency without compromising user experience. The method may also include additional steps such as authenticating the wake-up message, verifying the source of the message, and ensuring secure communication between the network and the playback device. The invention is particularly useful in smart home environments, where multiple playback devices may need to be synchronized or controlled remotely. By broadcasting the wake-up message on the network, the system avoids the need for individual wake-up signals, reducing complexity and improving scalability. The method ensures that playback devices remain responsive while minimizing power consumption.
9. The method of claim 1 , requesting MAC addresses of all devices in a group of devices by a controller device, where the controller device and the playback device are members of the group of devices.
A system and method for managing media playback in a networked group of devices, such as a multi-room audio system, addresses the challenge of synchronizing playback across multiple devices while ensuring efficient communication. The system includes a controller device and one or more playback devices, all connected within a local network. The controller device initiates playback by requesting the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of all devices in the group, including itself and the playback devices. This allows the controller to identify and communicate with each device in the group, ensuring proper synchronization of audio or video playback. The method involves the controller device broadcasting a request for MAC addresses, receiving responses from the devices, and using the collected addresses to establish direct communication channels for media streaming and control commands. This approach improves synchronization accuracy and reduces latency in multi-device playback systems by ensuring that all devices in the group are properly identified and managed. The system may also include additional features, such as dynamic group formation, where devices can join or leave the group dynamically, and adaptive synchronization to compensate for network delays. The method ensures seamless playback across all devices in the group, enhancing the user experience in multi-room audio or video systems.
10. The method of claim 1 , where the second predetermined time interval is longer than the first predetermined time interval.
A system and method for optimizing data transmission in a wireless communication network addresses the challenge of efficiently managing data transfer while minimizing power consumption and network congestion. The invention involves a communication device that adjusts transmission intervals based on network conditions to improve reliability and efficiency. The device monitors data traffic and dynamically selects between a first predetermined time interval for frequent, low-latency transmissions and a second predetermined time interval for less frequent, higher-latency transmissions. The second interval is longer than the first, allowing the device to conserve power and reduce unnecessary transmissions when network conditions are stable. The method includes detecting changes in data traffic patterns, determining the optimal interval based on predefined criteria, and automatically switching between the intervals to balance performance and resource usage. This approach ensures timely data delivery while adapting to varying network demands, making it suitable for applications requiring both real-time and periodic data transfers. The system may also include error detection and correction mechanisms to handle transmission failures, ensuring data integrity across different network conditions.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending state information from the playback device to a cloud network when the playback device enters the sleep state comprises sending state information from the playback device to a cloud network when the playback device enters the sleep state from standby state.
This invention relates to a method for managing state information in a playback device, particularly when transitioning between operational states. The problem addressed is the need to efficiently transfer state information to a cloud network when the playback device enters a sleep state, ensuring seamless resumption of playback or other functions upon waking. The method involves detecting when the playback device transitions from a standby state to a sleep state and, in response, sending state information to a cloud network. This state information may include playback position, user preferences, or device settings, allowing the cloud network to maintain an updated record. The method ensures that the playback device can quickly restore its previous state when reactivated, improving user experience. The invention may be part of a larger system for managing media playback across multiple devices, where synchronization with the cloud network is critical for maintaining consistency. The method optimizes power usage by minimizing data transfer during the transition to sleep while ensuring critical state information is preserved. This approach is particularly useful in portable or battery-powered playback devices where efficient power management is essential.
12. A method for changing power states of a network-connected playback device using a waking device, the method comprising: requesting and receiving, by a waking device from a central data repository over a network, state information about at least one playback device, where the state information includes a MAC address associated with each at least one playback device and data indicating that each at least one playback device is in a sleep state; receiving input on a user interface on the waking device causing an instruction to cause the at least one playback device to come out of sleep state; responsive to the input on the user interface causing the instruction to cause the at least one playback device to come out of sleep state, sending a wake up message from the waking device with a magic frame to each MAC address associated with each at least one playback device; maintaining a power state on a first playback device of the at least one playback device, where the power state is in one power state of at least the states of: active, standby, and sleep; broadcasting a MAC address associated with the first playback device at a first predetermined time interval when the first playback device is in the active power state; broadcasting the MAC address associated with the first playback device at a second predetermined time interval when the first playback device is in the standby power state; and ceasing broadcasting the MAC address when the first playback device enters the sleep state.
This invention relates to a system for managing power states of network-connected playback devices using a waking device. The problem addressed is the inefficiency of traditional methods for waking devices from sleep states, particularly in multi-device environments where manual intervention is required. The solution involves a waking device that retrieves state information, including MAC addresses, from a central repository to identify devices in sleep mode. Upon user input, the waking device sends a wake-up message with a magic frame to the MAC addresses of the targeted devices. The playback devices dynamically adjust their MAC address broadcasting behavior based on their power state: actively broadcasting at a first interval when active, at a second interval when in standby, and ceasing broadcasting entirely when in sleep mode. This ensures efficient power management while maintaining network connectivity for wake-up commands. The system enables seamless remote activation of devices without requiring direct user interaction with each device, improving usability in smart home or multi-device audio systems.
13. The method of claim 12 , where the input on a user interface on the waking device causing an instruction to cause the at least one playback device to come out of sleep state comprises detection of an input selecting the at least one playback device.
This invention relates to a system for managing playback devices in a networked audio system, particularly focusing on waking devices from a sleep state. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and user-friendly methods to activate playback devices that are in a low-power or sleep state, ensuring seamless audio playback without requiring manual power-on procedures. The system includes a waking device, such as a smartphone or tablet, that communicates with one or more playback devices over a network. The waking device detects user input selecting a specific playback device, which triggers an instruction to wake the selected device from its sleep state. This input can be made through a user interface on the waking device, such as a touchscreen or voice command. The waking device then sends a signal to the selected playback device, causing it to transition from a low-power state to an active state, ready for audio playback. The system ensures that only the intended playback device is activated, improving energy efficiency and user convenience. The method may also include additional steps to establish a connection between the waking device and the playback device, ensuring reliable communication before playback begins. This approach simplifies the process of waking and controlling playback devices in a multi-device audio system.
14. The method of claim 12 , where the input on a user interface on the waking device causing an instruction to cause the at least one playback device to come out of sleep state comprises an instruction to a group controller, where the group controller is a controller for a group of playback devices to which the at least one playback device belongs, to have the group of playback devices play a media content.
This invention relates to a system for controlling playback devices, particularly for waking them from a sleep state and initiating media playback. The problem addressed is the need for efficient and coordinated control of multiple playback devices, especially when transitioning from a low-power state to active playback. The solution involves a group controller that manages a group of playback devices, allowing a user to wake one or more devices and start media playback through a unified interface. When a user interacts with a user interface on a waking device, an instruction is sent to the group controller, which then directs the group of playback devices to exit their sleep state and begin playing media content. This approach simplifies user interaction by centralizing control and ensuring synchronized playback across multiple devices. The system enhances convenience by reducing the need for individual device management while maintaining energy efficiency through selective wake-up and playback coordination. The invention is particularly useful in multi-room audio systems or smart home environments where seamless and coordinated media playback is desired.
15. The method of claim 12 , where requesting and receiving, by a waking device from a central data repository over a network, state information about at least one playback device is performed periodically at a predetermined time interval.
A system and method for managing playback devices in a networked environment involves a waking device that periodically retrieves state information from a central data repository. The waking device, which may be a controller or coordinator in a media playback system, communicates with the central data repository over a network to obtain updated state information about one or more playback devices. This state information includes details such as device status, playback settings, and synchronization data. The retrieval process occurs at predetermined time intervals, ensuring that the waking device maintains current awareness of the playback devices' conditions. The system may also include mechanisms for waking or activating playback devices that are in a low-power or standby state, allowing them to synchronize with the waking device and participate in coordinated playback. The central data repository stores and manages the state information, enabling efficient distribution to the waking device and other devices in the network. This approach improves synchronization and coordination among playback devices, particularly in multi-room or multi-zone audio systems, by ensuring that all devices operate with up-to-date information. The periodic retrieval of state information helps maintain system reliability and performance, even if individual devices experience temporary disconnections or power-saving modes.
16. The method of claim 12 , where requesting and receiving, by a waking device from a central data repository over a network, state information about at least one playback device is performed in response to an event on the waking device.
This invention relates to a system for managing playback devices in a networked environment, addressing the challenge of efficiently synchronizing state information between devices to ensure seamless media playback. The method involves a waking device, which is a device initiating playback or control, requesting and receiving state information about at least one playback device from a central data repository over a network. This state information includes details such as playback status, volume levels, or synchronization data. The request and retrieval process is triggered by an event on the waking device, such as a user interaction or a system event, ensuring timely updates. The central data repository acts as a centralized hub that stores and distributes state information to maintain consistency across multiple playback devices. The waking device uses this state information to coordinate playback actions, such as starting, pausing, or adjusting playback settings, across the networked devices. This approach ensures that all devices remain synchronized, providing a cohesive playback experience. The method may also involve the waking device sending updated state information back to the central repository after performing playback actions, further maintaining synchronization. The system is particularly useful in multi-room audio or video playback scenarios where multiple devices need to operate in unison.
17. The method of claim 16 , where the event on the waking device comprises a controller application being opened on the waking device.
A system and method for managing device interactions in a networked environment addresses the problem of inefficient and uncoordinated device wake-up processes, which can lead to unnecessary power consumption and delayed responsiveness. The invention provides a solution by enabling a waking device to trigger specific events on a target device upon waking, ensuring synchronized and optimized device interactions. The method involves detecting a wake-up condition on the waking device, such as a user interaction or a scheduled event. Upon waking, the waking device identifies one or more target devices in the network that should be activated or prepared for interaction. The waking device then transmits a wake-up signal to the target devices, which may include instructions or data to initiate predefined actions. These actions can include launching applications, adjusting settings, or preparing resources to ensure seamless interaction between the waking and target devices. In one embodiment, the event on the waking device that triggers the wake-up process includes a controller application being opened. This application may be used to manage or control the target devices, and its activation prompts the waking device to send wake-up signals to the relevant target devices. The system ensures that the target devices are in the correct state to respond to commands from the waking device, improving efficiency and reducing latency in device interactions. The method may also include authentication and authorization steps to ensure secure communication between devices.
18. The method of claim 16 , where the event on the waking device comprises the waking device connecting to a local network containing the group of playback devices for the first time.
A method for synchronizing media playback across a group of playback devices involves detecting an event on a waking device, which is a device that initiates or resumes playback. The event triggering synchronization includes the waking device connecting to a local network containing the group of playback devices for the first time. When this event occurs, the system identifies the group of playback devices and determines their current playback states, such as track, position, and volume. The waking device then synchronizes its playback to match the group, ensuring all devices play the same media in unison. This method ensures seamless integration of new devices into an existing playback group, maintaining consistent audio or video playback across all devices. The system may also adjust playback parameters, such as volume or playback speed, to align with the group's settings. This approach is particularly useful in multi-room audio systems or distributed media playback environments where devices may join or leave the network dynamically. The method enhances user experience by automatically synchronizing new devices without manual intervention, ensuring uninterrupted and coordinated playback.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the central data repository is a cloud network.
Information technology and data management. This invention addresses the challenge of storing and accessing large volumes of data in a distributed and scalable manner. Specifically, it provides a method for managing data within a system where a central data repository is implemented as a cloud network. This approach allows for flexible storage, enhanced accessibility, and potential for distributed processing of data across various devices or services connected to the cloud. The use of a cloud network as the central data repository facilitates scalability, allowing the system to adapt to changing data storage needs without requiring significant on-premises infrastructure. It also enables remote access and collaboration, as data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This architecture is suitable for applications requiring robust data handling and availability.
Unknown
December 22, 2020
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